PROVO -- In what is certain to become an annual tradition, members of the BYU football team and coaching staff ran to the top of Y Mountain on Friday, ascending 1,000 feet over the one-mile trail.
While the event was not a race, Kelly Poppinga, a transfer from Utah State, was the first to reach the top in just over 15 minutes. Poppinga was followed by assistant coach Brandon Doman, then head coach Bronco Mendenhall. Linebacker Justin Leuttgerodt was the next to summit.
After the entire team reached the "Y", Mendenhall used the time to briefly talk to the team.
"The view is much better from the top," he said.
Each player received a blue bracelet as a reminder of accountability, discipline and effort. In addition, each player received a t-shirt with the traditional helmet logo on both the front and back.
"This is a reminder of the great tradition we have here at BYU," Mendenhall said.
The Cougars begin Spring Camp on Monday, March 14. Spring drills will conclude on Saturday, April 9 with the 32nd Annual Blue-White Game at Edwards Stadium. Pregame activities begin at 4 p.m. (MT), with kickoff scheduled for 5 p.m. (MT).